Academic Instructional Coach, 2024-2025

Job Description

Position Title : Academic Instructional Coach (All Levels)

Payroll / Personnel Type : 10.5 Month

Job # : 8072

Reports to : Director of Academic Instructional Coaches

Shift Length : 6.5 Hours a Day

FTE : 1.0 FTE

Union Eligibility : Eligible

Position Summary :

St. Louis Public Schools is seeking Academic Instructional Coaches to serve under the supervision of the Academic Office.

Academic Instructional Coaches will be pivotal in enhancing literacy and numeracy across all subjects. They will work closely with teachers to ensure they possess the requisite skills and knowledge to effectively teach literacy in various content areas, assess student progress, make informed pedagogical decisions based on data analysis, and implement appropriate interventions tailored to student needs (e.

g., Special Education, English Language Learners).

Key Responsibilities

Instructional Coaching : Builds teachers' expertise in instructional strategies across all content areas to foster an evidence-based approach to literacy instruction.

Provides job-embedded professional learning to support one-on-one, small-group, and content and grade-level coaching sessions to assist teachers in enhancing their instructional practices.

Observation and Feedback : Utilizes the Instructional Core and Instructional Rounds as key components of school improvement efforts.

Conducts regular classroom observations to gain insights into instructional practices and provides timely, actionable feedback to teachers regularly.

Data Analysis : Collaboratively analyzes school-wide and classroom-level data with teachers to inform instructional decisions and serves as a Data Coach to implement targeted academic interventions.

Strategically employs benchmark, formative, and summative assessment data to drive the coaching process.

Goal Setting and Monitoring : Supports teachers in enhancing their skills and knowledge to improve instructional outcomes for all students.

Collaborates with teachers to establish action plans and monitor literacy goals for students, ensuring alignment with overall academic objectives.

• Reflective Practice : Cultivates meaningful relationships that foster teacher growth and enhance student achievement. Facilitates regular reflective conferences with teachers regarding literacy instruction and student outcomes.
• Professional Development : Leads professional development sessions for teachers, deeply rooted in the principles of Adult Learning Theory, with a focus on promoting literacy skills across various subject areas.

Provides tailored professional development opportunities to address unique teacher needs and support instructional strategies.

Instructional Leadership : Supports the Instructional Leadership Team with instructional coherence by working with other departments (ESOL, Special Education, etc.

facilitating collaborative planning meetings, supporting curriculum alignment, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, and delivering high-quality professional learning throughout the school year.

Actively participates in ongoing professional development activities to enhance knowledge and skills relevant to instructional coaching and leadership.

Qualifications

• Minimum of five years of related teaching experience.
• Experience shifting instructional practices to improve student achievement and outcomes.
• Experience working in a position as a trainer, mentor, or other position that requires formalized support and training of teachers in order to improve their teaching skills.
• Deep knowledge of and significant experience with the Science of Reading and / or Numeracy and its implementation in the classroom.
• Skilled in guiding adult learners.
• Knowledge of Missouri laws and DESE recommendations regarding literacy and reading.
• Ability to apply principles of logical thinking to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Master’s Degree from an accredited college or university.
• Grade Level Appropriate Certification AND K-12 Special Reading Certification or Math Certification

Desired Traits

• Lifelong learner who commits to personal and professional learning and stays on top of educational research.
• Catalyst for change who believes in the innate potential of all students and acts accordingly.
• Reflective practitioner who constantly seeks personal and professional improvement.
• Systems thinker who can support and lead teachers through complex change initiatives.
• Deep commitment to teacher development that leads to student learning.
• Empathetic leader who values relationships and builds trust with others.

Physical Requirements :

• Must be physically able to operate a motor vehicle
• Light work usually requires walking or standing to a significant degree
• Must be able to exert up to 10 pounds of force occasionally, and / or a negligible amount of force constantly to lift, carry, push, and pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body
• Must be physically able to operate a variety of equipment including computers, copiers, adding machines, etc.

Working Conditions and Environment :

Routine office environment with minimal physical risk.

Disclaimer :

The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position.

Additional duties are performed by the individuals currently holding this position and additional duties may be assigned.

If you are not currently fully certified, we would still love for you to apply! However, we ask that you provide very specific information and documentation so that we fully understand your progress toward certification :

• If you have applied for DESE certification but are awaiting the posting of your certificate : upload a copy / screenshot of your application submission in DESE to your application in the Attachments section
• If you are currently enrolled in a certification program, ask your university / program supervisor to write a letter to us that includes 1.

what program you are enrolled in 2. how many certification courses you have remaining 3. what certification courses you have remaining 4.

what exams you still need to take and 5. whether or not your university supervisor recommends you for a provisional or temporary license.

Please note that if an offer is extended to you, the following items will be required as part of your onboarding :

• Background check
• TB test
• Official transcripts
• Social Security card

In connection with hiring for this position, the district shall not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran status, or national origin.